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Tuesday, December 3, 2013

With family meals beckoning on Christmas and New Year's Eve and Super Bowl parties in the planning stages, it's prime time for special occasions, though Olivia Dupin doesn't sweat it. The South Jersey resident loves to host her own intimate dinner parties. “I’ve worked as a private chef for nearly 10 years, so adapting recipes to a home kitchen comes naturally to me,” says the Culinary Institute of America-trained Dupin. Last month she released her second cookbook, Gluten-Free Entertaining: More than 100 Naturally Wheat-Free Recipes for Parties and Special Occasions, which showcases dishes enjoyed by her friends and family whether they're wheat eaters or not.

Dupin's celiac disease diagnosis four years ago changed her career - and her life - for the better. “I’ve loved food my whole life, and I was thrilled to be working as a chef, but I felt exhausted all the time and I was severely anemic,” says Dupin, who has worked for comedian Jerry Seinfeld and New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira. “When the doctor told me I had celiac disease, I was simultaneously relieved to finally have a diagnosis and terrified that I would have to give up everything I loved. But with a little extra attention to ingredients, I’ve developed ways to eat great without gluten."

Baked salmon with tomatoes and fennel

Gluten-Free Entertaining contains more than 100 recipes, arranged by occasion but also appropriate for everyday. Rather than using more expensive gluten substitutes, Dupin focuses on nutritionally sound whole foods that are naturally gluten free. Recipes in the cookbook include appetizers like cornbread bites with andouille sausage and braised bacon nachos with chipotle-peach chutney, entrees such as baked salmon with roasted tomatoes and fennel, and desserts like cinnamon churros with chocolate sauce.

Two Gluten Free Philly readers can win a copy of Dupin's new Gluten-Free Entertaining cookbook. To enter up to three different ways, follow the instructions below. Entries are being accepted through Sunday, December 8. Good luck!

As basic as it sounds, I have people beg me to make these for parties. I give platters as gifts. Chex Treats! Instead of Rice Krispies, I use Chex! Delicious! Add some peanut butter, some chocolate chips, whatever to make them different each time!

I have found a recipe for Gluten Free Blueberry Scones and they are just amazing! We drink tea every day and these scones are a great little treat to have with the tea. I have also taken them to a recent shower I was co-hosting and they went over fabulously there!